Babysitting Fiona

I'm watching my girlfriend Jen Starkey's daughter Fiona while she and Dave goes to work. She is adorable and loves the dogs.




Time for a nap. I hope I don't fall asleep before she does, ha!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Wood and Wine

Megan and I finally made it to dinner in April! We sadly missed our girls night out in February and March. After the movie, Aaron dropped me off at the Wood & Wine in Avon and went off to shop and grab a beer at Mulligan's. Megan and I had wine and good food-- my veal and mushroom ravioli was so tasty and perfectly cooked I could have ate the whole meal if I wasn't trying to moderate my intake. Megan's pizza looked good too. Mmm thin crust! I think I'll try one next time. Oh I ordered a delicious lemon cake that we shared. Moderate intake, who am I kidding? I guess I was leaving room for my dessert. Yah that's it!

It's always a great time with Bella!! Looking forward to our next outing! Wow I'm super tired. I think I'll nap on the ride home... zzz

GIRLIE UPDATE > MOVIE ALERT: Fast Five

Even though I was dead tired from staying up all night, Aaron and I went to see Fast Five this afternoon. I wasn't disappointed!

An awesome action flick -- car races, explosions and kick ass fight scenes. Oh and there's a bit of romance thrown in too. Takes place primarily in Rio.

All the major characters from the first 4 flicks reunite for this latest Fast and the Furious saga although I would have loved seeing Suki from 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Sean Boswell and Twinkie from Tokyo Drift in this too. Now add Hobbs and Elena and perhaps a new generation of cars.

I loved the scene when Brian, Dom, Han and Roman steals cop cars and race them through the city streets. Rom used the flashers too, nice!

If you go see it, sit through the credits. There's a last screen of Monica Fuentes (surprise!) with Hobbs, talking about.... Letty. Will there be a Fast Furious 6? I hope so!

GIRLIE UPDATE: The Royal Wedding

I decided to stay up tonight and watch the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

I love watching grand spectacles like this and I wasn't disappointed! Prince William and now Katherine, the Duchess of Cambridge looked so happy and relaxed.

And didn't Prince William and Prince Harry look dashing in their military attire? Hot!

The media coverage was great -- got a whole lot of British history and facts about the royal family, as well as celebrity sightings and fashion. Thank you BBC America and E! for giving me a splendid morning! Gosh the sun is out. I better go sleep!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Immortals trailer

Oh it gave me chicken skin! 7 more months of waiting!

40-year old arms and legs

Oh yeah now I feel the burn in my arms as well as my legs! Still no twinge in my abs and glutes though, even if I was shaking during my Russian twists, hip raises and leg lifts. I guess I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing this week and get better with stamina and stability. I will add another 15-minutes to my routine next week to keep me challenged.

Honestly part of me feels self conscience working out, like someone will find me jogging in the back stairwell or the students studying in the study lounge on the other side of the staff lounge can see me through the curtain. Hence the short workouts. But I felt more comfortable tonight than I did on Sunday so hopefully I'll get over myself. So what if someone sees me working out? I'm allowed to be in the staff lounge and I'm not bothering anybody.

I'm debating if I should rest tonight or keep at it. Maybe I can lay off the legs and continue working on my abs and glutes. Hopefully I won't overwork myself to the point where I can't move over the weekend! I'll find my groove soon enough!

My calves are crying out

I woke up this morning to find my calves stiff and burning! That was all that hurt today. My arms and abs feel fine. Not enough workout in those areas? More push-ups and crunches? I need to add glutes to my routine too. Well I'll have to work on that tonight. At least we know stairs jogging works!

Stairs, it does the body good

I FINALLY started working out during my dinner breaks! I wanted to start last week but I still had the crazy cough and didn't want to get more sick.

I started with a 3 minute jog up and down two flights of stairs. That got my heart pumping and my legs burning. Next I took my 3-lbs. weights (stop laughing) and did 5 minutes of my kickboxing kicks and punches. I worked up a good sweat in the air conditioned staff lounge by then. Finally I laid on my mat and did 7 minutes of various crunches and stretches. I know, I only did about 15 minutes of exercise, but its a start! I'm really out of shape!

All that exercise made me hungry, ha! I'll have to resist munching on all that sugary Easter goodness on my desk and hopefully eat my dinner in a half hour. Water sounds good right now!

Progress reports and schedules

Its that time of the semester again where I write 26 student evaluations and make the 24-hour monitor, finals week, Senior/commencement week and the fall semester's desk schedules! All due in a couple of weeks. The pressure is on and I love it! EXCEPT for those lovely evaluations. It's my favorite task in the world, NOT!

Chorizo and chimichangas

We met up with Tina and Mikey for dinner tonight. We found out how their marathon and bike ride went, while we shared our vacation highlights. Aaron was happy because we got to eat Mexican food from Mezcal in Grafton. Aaron's favorite! The salsa was suspect. I think it had way too much cilantro and it tasted kind of spoiled. The margaritas and beer helped get rid of the taste in our mouths! Everything else was fab!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Playing the Field filming

The Butler is in Louisiana filming his new movie "Playing the Field". It seems he's going for the shaggy look. Well its better than the mullet look he has for "Machine Gun Preacher". It's going to be tough for me to watch him in that flick.

Bronchitis to PND

I finally got rid of the awful deep cough that hurt my sides. Now have I post-nasal drip. Blah! I don't know which is worse -- I have nothing to cough up but something's tickling my throat and making me cough involuntarily. And it makes my head hurt when I cough.

Will I ever be able to enjoy the nice spring days soon?

With spring comes mud

... and rain and hail and an occasional storm.

Keala loves to rub in the mud and comes in with raccoon face.

One morning a wind storm blew down part of our back fence. Thank God Aaron ran out to catch Keala before she escaped.

We had a hail storm that lasted 5 minutes then the sun came out for the rest of the day.

And Ikaika looking into the kitchen waiting for whatever is cooking. This is where you would find him... on the couch.

Wishing for summer now!

I'm sick of staying home

I braved the outside and had dinner with the hubby this afternoon. Nothing makes a girl feel better than some good Italian food from Carrabbas. The bread, soup, salad, entries and dessert were divine!

Aaron got a call from Jay so we met up with him, Jen, Dave and Nikki at Quaker Steak and Lube for some drinks. I don't know how we ended up talking about it but Jen challenged the boys to eat some Atomic wings. Jay added to the challenge. Dave was hesitatingly game. Jay ended up eating half a wing before seeking some liquid relief. Dave ended up not even trying. Good thing since he doesn't eat anything spicy. Aaron ate the rest with no side effects. Good times. Babe, GOOD JOB!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Hawaii Five-O: Ma Ke Kahakai

It seems like forever since I've watched a new episode! Poor McGarrett breaks his arm but he can still kick ass and look hot in a sling and cast. I "heart" you!

And don't forget the breathtaking view of the Hawaiian mountains and Waikiki's fireworks! Makes you wanna go, huh?

Springtime and bronchitis

This week was a bad one for me, health wise. Migraines, heartburn, nausea and now that congested cough that can lead to bronchitis if I don't take care of myself. A bad week to call off sick since my boss and co-worker are on vacation. I toughed it out on Wednesday and went to work but I got more congested and felt more miserable by the time I got home. Today I managed to go in for a few hours. Hopefully some sleep and meds over the weekend will straighten me up.

No more sick feelings! I want to get back into shape and into an exercise routine again. We'll see. I have to get better first.

2011 BOSTON: Day 1 Meeting the Ohana

Friday, March 25, 2011

Bernz, Khyla, Ho'e, Tita and Aaron -- on our way to the T-Station

At the Black Rose -- Faneuil Market

Eric and Sam met up with us

Looking for the ferry at Long Wharf

Grabbing a beer (or three) at Cheer's at Quincy Market

2011 BOSTON: Evening 1 Geoffrey's Cafe with Tim

We met up with Tim at his friend's restaurant -- Geoffrey's Cafe in Arlington/Back Bay

Appetizers -- Seared Ahi, Eggplant Parmesan and Fried cheese logs (way bigger than sticks)

Aaron and I had pork chops Milanese and 5 cheese mac and cheese (Aaron ate his entire meal!)

For dessert -- chocolate chip bread pudding, creme brulee and a huge chocolate cake

2011 BOSTON: Day 2 Fenway and Jillian's Boston

Saturday, March 26, 2011

A beautiful sunny morning, but its really really cold! On the T- Blue Line from the Airport Station to Fenway We did a little shopping at REI and walked up passed Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox We finally made it to Jillian's Boston for some bowling fun Khyla did great on her third game! Papa would have been proud! Aaron's Navy friend Davis and his wife Jen met up with us there

2011 BOSTON: Evening 2 Boston Beer Works

After Jillian's we walked over to the Boston Beer Works. Tim met us there. After dinner and interested conversation we all catch the T home. We all need some sleep!

2011 BOSTON: Day 3 Breakfast and homework

Sunday, March 27, 2011

The Brlas' are up! Anything for breakfast

Khyla with her uncles -- Bernz and Keali'i

2011 BOSTON: Evening 3 The North End

Khyla, Ho'e and Bernz went to the Museum of Science

while Aaron, Tita, Keali'i and I walked around the Charles River towards Tim's apartment

First stop... The Fours Bar and Grille in the North End for a drink and appetizers

Passing Paul Revere and the Old North Church Come on Tim, win the millions!

We walked back to the Aquarium to see the seals, through Quincy Market and back to the North End for dinner. We ended going to Mother Anna's for some good Italian food. It was so cold outside we ended up not taking pictures for the rest of the evening.